Of the four major sports, none requires a greater everyday persona of toughness than the NFL.And that culture of toughness has been under scrutiny these past few days because of alleged bullying behavior in the locker room of the Miami Dolphins.The story is that one 300+ pound lineman spoke using mean, threatening, and racially charged words to another 300+ pound lineman.Mental toughness apparently has limits, even in an NFL locker room.

But there is one sport that is far tougher than football – one sport that separates the men from the boys.That sport is politics.

The sports world this week was filled with tales of locker room bullying in professional football.That’s nothing.Political bullying has been around since Julius Caesar took one in the back from a former political ally.It is a bare knuckles, no-holds-barred, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually bone-crushing sport, and the winners are usually the first ones to get victimized, often by their own teammates.Political foes never have a bye week and never enjoy an off season.

Given that backdrop, there should be no surprise that President Obama is in the midst of being bullied by everyone who is anyone.Maybe he needs a lawyer to protect himself.

Defenders of the President will say that he’s been a victim of bullying since…well, forever, they would argue.The recent bullying accusations began in earnest in October when Sen. Ted Cruz made public statements against Obama’s baby, and even political enemies should never threaten someone’ baby.In Obama’s case, his baby is otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act.

Friends of Cruz defend his alleged bullying as friendly hazing.

“That’s just Ted being Ted.He’s plays hard and that’s why we love him,” said teammate Lindsay Graham. “Besides, it’s not really bullying if he deserves it.”

Official Presidential Apologist, Jay Carney, characterized Cruz differently.“He’s a dirty player and the league knows it.He takes shots below the belt.His defenders will say he was kidding when he compared Obama’s baby to a Nazi tactic, but that’s just wrong.”

There are unconfirmed reports that Obama has left the administration and is seeking consulting for his hurt feelings.His attorney, Eric Holder, issued a statement saying, “No one can question Barack’s toughness or his manhood.He survived a war with Hillary Clinton and a minor skirmish with Mitt Romney.He can take a political punch.But Sen. Cruz crossed a line by attacking Barack’s baby, and I think most Americans would agree that this is beyond the pale.”

Unfortunately, more Americans every day are starting to think that the Obama bullying is justified. The Affordable Care Act’s painful birth has even players on Obama’s own team piling on. Teammates who were once loyal blockers in front of him on the field of battle are now leaving nasty messages on his cell phone and texting him inappropriate images of frozen computer screens with the caption, “Reboot Time”.

President Obama tried to take the high ground in the battle of words.“Bullying has no place in the game of politics.”

The Cruz camp responded with a tweet, “Politics is a sport of bullying, you moron.”

Unconfirmed reports state that Obama is so distraught by the bullying, he has temporarily gone incognito to avoid the pressure.

The bullying is sure to continue.The sport of politics, like football, will never change. Whoever fumbles the most will lose and Barack playing on a wet field.

In other news, Joe Biden filed a bullying claim against Hillary Clinton for being mean to him. Her alleged offense, according to Biden, was “being popular and articulate.”

my youngest son, Thing 3, uttered "Grass Oil" one night to describe what i made for dinner. what is the Grass Oil blog? my observations about life from my cheap seats where everyone looks like ants. i'm funny, candid and i try to be nice, with some snark for flavor. Grass Oil: simple. random. elegant. there it is.